"I know for a fact that those guys have tremendous respect for each other," Falcons head coach Jim Mora said of Johnson and Hall. "If they didn't have the respect for each other, they probably wouldn't challenge each other the way they are."

The audacity shown by the young Atlanta Falcons cornerback in February earned him some measure of respect, but not total silence, from the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver. Since then, they've kept their tongues sharp over the phone.

But earlier this week, with their long-awaited matchup Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium on the horizon, Johnson let loose while Hall mostly refrained from the verbal theatrics.

"It started in Hawaii," Johnson told reporters crowded around his locker Wednesday. "He told me he was the best defensive back ever. How? How can you proclaim yourself the best ever when you haven't been against the best?"

Johnson suggested that "Mr. Fall", as he referred to Hall, consider quitting after Sunday's game and get a job at the Fatburger restaurant in Atlanta owned by Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson.

Hall took it all in stride and even chuckled when informed of Johnson's rapid-fire remarks.

"Um, I think that's another great one-liner," Hall said when told of the Fatburger career plan proposed by Johnson. "But I'm a Pro Bowl player. I ain't too worried about getting a job. I can always find a job."

Of course, job security isn't an issue with Hall, the eighth player chosen in the 2004 NFL Draft.

His four interceptions through six games this season tie him with Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis for the NFL lead.

Only Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Ty Law, Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey and Bengals cornerback Deltha O'Neal have more interceptions than Hall's 10 since the start of last season.

"I know for a fact that those guys have tremendous respect for each other," Falcons head coach Jim Mora said of Johnson and Hall. "If they didn't have the respect for each other, they probably wouldn't challenge each other the way they are.

"So that's what it's all about: the competition, the battle of the great ones. And that's certainly a battle of great ones — great, great ones."

One national publication tabbed Hall earlier this year as an up-and-comer among the league's crop of elite defensive backs.

He also holds the title of NFL's Fastest Man after beating Houston Texans wide receiver Jerome Mathis in a 40-yard dash during the 2006 Pro Bowl competition.

"(Johnson) definitely talks a lot of trash and is a real comical guy and has a lot of skits and end zone dances," Hall, 22, said. "But at the end of the day Chad spends just as much time in that film room as Carson Palmer, as myself, as much as Peyton Manning.

"We know as players, in order to be great, you've got to be able to back it up on the field and you have to know it from a mental standpoint. That's what Chad does a great job of doing. That's why I respect him so much as a player."

Hopes of a Hall of Fame career motivate Hall. It's why personal expectations always exceed those others have of him.

Hall consults with the likes of Darrell Green, Rod Woodson and Deion Sanders, who, like Hall now, wore jersey No. 21 while playing for the Falcons from 1989-1993, for pointers.

"When I got in this league I thought everything was going to come to me because I was so fast," Hall said. "Talking to those guys, it takes a lot of hard work. Hard work and dedication. You can't just get paid and shut it down."

Atlanta enters Sunday's game ranked 27th in the NFL in pass defense at 230.8 yards per game.

In their overtime win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 22, the Falcons allowed 418 net yards passing and five passing touchdowns. One of those touchdowns was a 70-yarder to Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward, who minus a shoe, outran Hall and the rest of the Falcons defense to the end zone.

"I can't wait," Hall said. "Any time you get a great receiver and a great DB hooked up, it's going to be a great game."

But Hall and the Falcons realize Johnson isn't the only threat within the Bengals' pass offense.

Cincinnati ranks 12th in passing and has averaged 241 net yards through the air against NFC South division opponents Tampa Bay and Carolina the past two weeks.

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh had 17 catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns in those games. Johnson caught 12 passes for 172 yards, including a key 32-yard reception on fourth down against the Panthers.

Chris Henry, who has 11 catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns in his three games played this season, is coming off a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse and personal conduct policies. He is expected to play Sunday.

"He wants to shut me up but it's not going to happen," Johnson said. "I've got everything riding on this game. Everybody (back home) in Miami is going to see this. My pride is on the line right now. If I lose this battle, I can't even walk home with my head up."

Chad Johnson has a personal rivalry with Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall that will be tested in Sunday's matchup. "It started in Hawaii," Johnson said on Wednesday. "He told me he was the best defensive back ever. How? How can you proclaim yourself the best ever when you haven't been against the best?"